BY THE NUMBERS: 5-13 – Carolina’s all-time record in home openers. The wins came in 1996 (Atlanta 29-6), 2002 (Baltimore 10-7), 2003 (Jacksonville 24-23), 2008 (Chicago 20-17) and last season (New Orleans 35-27).

MATCHUP TO WATCH: The Panthers spent their first two draft picks on defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short to shore up their rushing defense. Since Marshawn Lynch is a four-time 1,000-yard rusher, including a career-best 1,590 last season, those rookies and the rest of the Panthers defense will be put to the test immediately.

NOTABLE: Seattle second-year quarterback Russell Wilson spent a month of the 2011 Coastal Plain League season playing second base for the Gastonia Grizzlies. A two-sport standout at N.C. State from 2008-12, Wilson spent his senior football season of 2012 at Wisconsin and helped the Badgers to the Rose Bowl….

Wilson is one of five Seahawks with connections to N.C. State; Seattle head coach Pete Carroll was defensive coordinator and secondary coach for when Monte Kiffin was Wolfpack head coach from 1980-82, Seahawks quarterbacks Carl Smith was N.C. State offensive coordinator in 1982 and kicker Steven Hauschka and offensive guard J.R. Sweezy played for the Wolfpack. Sweezy also is a former Mooresville High standout….

On the other side, Panthers defensive tackle Colin Cole, Panthers assistant special teams coach Bruce Dehaven, Panthers wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl and Panthers secondary/passing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks have ties to the Seahawks. Cole played for the Seahawks from 2009-10, Dehaven was Seahawks special teams coach from 2007-09, Proehl played for the Seahawks from 1995-96 and Wilks went to Seahawks training camp in 1992….

Wilson and Cam Newton had matched or broke records that were previously set by Denver Broncos’ veteran quarterback Peyton Manning. Wilson’s 26 touchdowns last season tied Manning’s rookie record. And Newton’s 7,920 yards passing in his first two seasons is the most for a two-year QB in history – breaking Manning’s record of 7,874….

PREDICTION: Carolina 24, Seattle 21. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks effectively stole a game from the Panthers in their last trip to Charlotte. The Panthers have had all offseason to be better prepared this time around.